Patents Assigned to NovaTorque, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9093874
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture and system for producing a field pole member for electrodynamic machinery are disclosed to, among other things, reduce magnetic flux path lengths and to eliminate back-iron for increasing torque and/or efficiency per unit size (or unit weight) and for reducing manufacturing costs. For example, a field pole member structure can either reduce the length of magnetic flux paths or substantially straighten those paths through the field pole members, or both. In one embodiment, a method provides for the construction of field pole members for electrodynamic machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Novatorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Petro, Ken George Wasson, Jeremy Franz Mayer
  • Patent number: 8543365
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system and computer-readable medium for designing and/or simulating electrodynamic machinery are disclosed to, among other things, optimize one or more performance characteristics by manipulating structural and/or functional characteristics of the constituent components of an electrodynamic machine. According to the various embodiments, a motor designer can create a new motor design by modeling a rotor-stator structure to design and/or simulate electrodynamic machines that implement, for example, conically shaped magnets and accompanying field pole members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Novatorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Petro, Ken George Wasson
  • Publication number: 20130181565
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture and system for producing a field pole member for electrodynamic machinery are disclosed to, among other things, reduce magnetic flux path lengths and to eliminate back-iron for increasing torque and/or efficiency per unit size (or unit weight) and for reducing manufacturing costs. For example, a field pole member structure can either reduce the length of magnetic flux paths or substantially straighten those paths through the field pole members, or both. In one embodiment, a method provides for the construction of field pole members for electrodynamic machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventor: NovaTorque, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8471425
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to electrodynamic machines and the like, and more particularly, to rotor assemblies and rotor-stator structures for electrodynamic machines, including, but not limited to, outer rotor assemblies and/or inner rotor assemblies with a corresponding stator assembly. In some embodiments a rotor assembly can include magnetically permeable structures having confronting surfaces oriented at an angle to the axis of rotation. A group of magnetic structures can be interleaved with the magnetically permeable structures. The magnetically permeable structures can also include non-confronting surfaces adjacent to which boost magnets are disposed to enhance flux in a flux path passing through magnetic structures that are interleaved with magnetically permeable structures. Further, the rotor assemblies can include a flux conductor shield disposed adjacent to the boost magnets, the flux conductor shield configured to provide return flux paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Petro, Ken G. Wasson, Donald Burch, Jeremy Mayer, Michael Regalbuto
  • Publication number: 20130119814
    Abstract: Disclosed are foil coil structures and methods for winding the same for stators in electrodynamic machines, as well as electrodynamic machines that implement such coil structures. In one embodiment, a foil coil structure is configured for implementation with a field pole member having pole faces that confront, for example, conical magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Burch, John Petro
  • Patent number: 8330316
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to electrodynamic machines and the like, and more particularly, to rotor assemblies and rotor-stator structures for electrodynamic machines, including, but not limited to, outer rotor assemblies. In some embodiments, a stator assembly including field pole members arranged about an axis of rotation and including pole faces at the ends of the field pole members, subsets of the pole faces being disposed within a boundaries of conically-shaped spaces having apexes disposed on the axis of rotation. The rotor assemblies include interior regions in which the subsets of the pole faces are disposed, the interior regions having surfaces external to the boundaries of the conically-shaped spaces. The rotor assemblies also include subsets of magnets interleaved circumferentially with the subsets of magnetically permeable structures and boost magnets disposed adjacent the subsets of magnetically permeable structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Petro, Ken G. Wasson, Donald Burch, Jeremy Mayer, Michael Regalbuto
  • Patent number: 8330317
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for conical magnets for rotors in electrodynamic machines, methods to design the same, and rotor-stator structures for electrodynamic machines. In various embodiments, a rotor-stator structure for electrodynamic machine can include field pole members and conical magnets. According to at least some embodiments, one or more of the conical magnets can include a magnetic region configured to confront one or more air gaps. The magnetic region can be substantially coextensive with one or more acute angles to the axis of rotation. The magnetic region can also include a surface positioned at multiple radial distances from the axis of rotation in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Burch, John Patrick Petro, Jeremy Franz Mayer
  • Patent number: 8319144
    Abstract: A method for constructing a three-dimensional laminated shape includes selecting a first lamination strip from a plurality of lamination strips with different widths assembled on a spool. The first lamination strip is stacked on a stacking device and is cut at a first lamination length. A second lamination strip is selected from the spool. The second lamination strip is stacked and cut at a second lamination length different than the first lamination length. The process is repeated to construct a three-dimensional laminated shape of an electrodynamic device. In another embodiment, a computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to collect design information characterizing a three-dimensional laminated shape and compute lamination parameters based on the design information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Novatorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Petro, Jeremy Franz Mayer
  • Patent number: 8283832
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture and system for producing a field pole member for electrodynamic machinery are disclosed to, among other things, reduce magnetic flux path lengths and to eliminate back-iron for increasing torque and/or efficiency per unit size (or unit weight) and for reducing manufacturing costs. For example, a field pole member structure can either reduce the length of magnetic flux paths or substantially straighten those paths through the field pole members, or both. In one embodiment, a method provides for the construction of field pole members for electrodynamic machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Petro, Ken George Wasson, Jeremy Franz Mayer
  • Publication number: 20120248917
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to electric motors, alternators, generators and the like, and more particularly, to stator structures and rotor-stator structures for motors that can be configured to, for example, reduce detent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Petro, Ken G. Wasson, Jeremy F. Mayer
  • Publication number: 20120228979
    Abstract: Embodiments of various rotor assemblies can include an arrangement of magnetically permeable structures including confronting surfaces oriented at an angle to the centerline, and different subsets of non-confronting surfaces. Different magnets can be disposed adjacent to the different subsets of non-confronting subsets. For example, one type of magnet lies is a flux path or a flux path portion passing through one subset of non-confronting surfaces, and another type of magnet is external to the flux path adjacent to another subset of non-confronting surfaces and is configured to boost the flux associated with the flux path (or a portion thereof). In some embodiments, the magnetic region can include a portion of the internal permanent magnet. One example of a rotor assembly is an outer rotor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Petro, Ken G. Wasson, Donald Burch, Jeremy Mayer, Michael Regalbuto
  • Patent number: 8072106
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to electric motors, alternators, generators and the like, and more particularly, to stator structures and rotor-stator structures for motors that can be configured to, for example, reduce detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Novatorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Petro, Ken G. Wasson, Jeremy F. Mayer
  • Patent number: 8072115
    Abstract: Disclosed are foil coil structures and methods for winding the same for stators in electrodynamic machines, as well as electrodynamic machines that implement such coil structures. In one embodiment, a foil coil structure is configured for implementation with a field pole member having pole faces that confront, for example, conical magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Novatorque, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Burch, John Petro
  • Patent number: 7982350
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for conical magnets for rotors in electrodynamic machines, methods to design the same, and rotor-stator structures for electrodynamic machines. In various embodiments, a rotor-stator structure for electrodynamic machine can include field pole members and conical magnets. According to at least some embodiments, one or more of the conical magnets can include a magnetic region configured to confront one or more air gaps. The magnetic region can be substantially coextensive with one or more acute angles to the axis of rotation. The magnetic region can also include a surface positioned at multiple radial distances from the axis of rotation in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Burch, John Patrick Petro, Jeremy Franz Mayer
  • Patent number: 7884522
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to electric motors, alternators, generators and the like, and more particularly, to stator structures and rotor-stator structures for motors that can be configured to, for example, reduce detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Petro, Ken G. Wasson, Jeremy F. Mayer
  • Patent number: 7719159
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system producing for electrodynamic machinery are disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated stator-housing structure for constructing electrodynamic machines includes one or more field pole members. Each field pole member can have a first pole face and a second pole face. Also, the members each can have a field pole core being configured to produce a flux path in a direction from the first pole face to the second pole face. In one embodiment, the integrated stator-housing structure can also include a housing structure configured to support the one or more field pole members. The housing structure is configured to mate with one or more other housing structures to form an enclosure of an electrodynamic machine. In another embodiment, the housing structure is composed of potting compound formed with the one or more field pole members in, for example, a mold. In this case, the integrated stator-housing structure includes the potting compound and the field pole members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Novatorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Petro, Ken George Wasson, Jeremy Franz Mayer
  • Patent number: 7573170
    Abstract: A motor module, method, apparatus and system for implementing linear and rotary motors, such as relatively large rotary motors, are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electrodynamic machine can include magnets having angled magnetic surfaces and regions of predetermined magnetic polarization. The magnets can include a first array and a second array of magnets arranged in a direction of motion. Also included are groups of field pole members arranged adjacent to the first array and the second array of magnets. The field pole members include angled flux interaction surfaces, which can be formed at the ends of the field pole members to confront the angled magnetic surfaces. In combination, the angled flux interaction surfaces and the angled magnetic surfaces define air gaps. As such, the angled flux interaction surfaces are configured to magnetically couple the field pole members to the magnets to form either a linear or rotary motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Petro, Ken George Wasson
  • Patent number: 7294948
    Abstract: A rotor-stator structure for electrodynamic machinery is disclosed to, among other things, minimize magnetic flux path lengths and to eliminate back-iron for increasing torque and/or efficiency per unit size (or unit weight) and for reducing manufacturing costs. In one embodiment, an exemplary rotor-stator structure can comprise a shaft defining an axis of rotation, and a rotor on which at least two magnets are mounted on the shaft. The two magnets can be cylindrical or conical magnets having magnetic surfaces that confront air gaps. In some embodiments, substantially straight field pole members can be arranged coaxially and have flux interaction surfaces formed at both ends of those field poles. Those surfaces are located adjacent to the confronting magnetic surfaces to define functioning air gaps, which are generally curved in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Novatorque, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken George Wasson, John Patrick Petro
  • Patent number: 7239058
    Abstract: A rotor-stator structure for electrodynamic machinery is disclosed to, among other things, minimize magnetic flux path lengths and to eliminate back-iron for increasing torque and/or efficiency per unit size (or unit weight) and for reducing manufacturing costs. In one embodiment, an exemplary rotor-stator structure can comprise a shaft defining an axis of rotation, and a rotor on which at least two substantially conical magnets are mounted on the shaft. The magnets include conical magnetic surfaces facing each other and confronting air gaps. In some embodiments, substantially straight field pole members can be arranged coaxially and have flux interaction surfaces formed at both ends of those field poles. Those surfaces are located adjacent to the confronting conical magnetic surfaces to define functioning air gaps. Current in coils wound on the field poles provide selectable magnetic fields that interact with magnet flux in flux interaction regions to provide torque to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Petro, Ken George Wasson
  • Publication number: 20070126303
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system producing for electrodynamic machinery are disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated stator-housing structure for constructing electrodynamic machines includes one or more field pole members. Each field pole member can have a first pole face and a second pole face. Also, the members each can have a field pole core being configured to produce a flux path in a direction from the first pole face to the second pole face. In one embodiment, the integrated stator-housing structure can also include a housing structure configured to support the one or more field pole members. The housing structure is configured to mate with one or more other housing structures to form an enclosure of an electrodynamic machine. In another embodiment, the housing structure is composed of potting compound formed with the one or more field pole members in, for example, a mold. In this case, the integrated stator-housing structure includes the potting compound and the field pole members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: NOVATORQUE, INC.
    Inventors: John PETRO, Ken WASSON, Jeremy MAYER